Starlink’s rapid global rollout complicated by Elon Musk’s ties to President Donald Trump

Elon Musk’s Starlink is set to cement its dominance of the satellite internet market with a surge in revenues in 2025, but the world’s richest man’s ties to President Donald Trump are shifting from an asset to a hindrance in Starlink's global rollout. The billionaire’s SpaceX group is engaged in talks to rapidly bring the service to countries with 1 billion potential new users, including holding negotiations with Turkey, Morocco and Bangladesh, while making progress towards regulatory approval in other vast markets such as India. Musk’s alliance with President Trump has also removed obstacles and monopoly concerns harboured by Biden-era officials, paving the way for lucrative federal contracts. But the SpaceX founder’s foray into politics has begun to hamper its global expansion plans, as regulators in each country need to approve Starlink’s entry into their market and politicians weigh up whether Musk is a reliable partner.